The Belfast Creative Coalition and the Maine Farmland Trust are seeking sites for a Farm and Art Studio Tour in Waldo County. Participants can choose their level of participation ranging from a year round open location, by appointment only, and/or a once a year fall weekend tour. The tour will highlight farms, artist studios, and cultural organizations that are near natural resources, such as waterways or the Waldo County Trail Coalition’s network of trails. This will allow for boating, hiking, biking, snow shoeing or cross-country skiing between sites throughout the year. The tour is seeking all types of artists, wool and yarn producers, musicians, arts camps and retreats, working farms, hands-on opportunities, educational opportunities and farms/studios offering overnight stays. A Farm and Art tour map will be created that marks participating locations. This will have a print and online version, and ultimately an ‘app’ for easy access.

The Belfast Creative Coalition (BCC) has received two grants to help create and market this tour. $5000 from the Maine Community Foundation Arts Exapansion Grant and $10,000 from the Davis Foundation. These grants help support BCC’s marketing efforts for the arts and culture in the Belfast area. The Farm and Art tour falls under BCC’s mission to cultivate the creative economy of Waldo County. “Grantors like the Davis Family Foundation understand that by supporting a coalition their funds will go to support hundreds of artists and other creatives in the area. These artists and creatives attract dollars and jobs to Waldo County. It’s a way to have their grant benefit many at once” said Kimberly Callas, Belfast Creative Coalition Coordinator.

To be featured in the Farm and Art Studio Tour (in print and online) please fill out the online application at www.belfastcreativecoalition.org. Call Kimberly at 207-323-8692 if you need an application mailed. The application deadline is February 1st, 2013.